Volunteer firefighterswere called out in emergenciesto help work the pumps.

After each fire, The Volunteer Fire Brigade and Board of Healthgave them a token like this.

John Hawkinwas a volunteer firemanwhen Croydon's Parish Church burnt down.He made this cross from a piece of burnt timberthat was left behind.

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This description of the fireis read by an actor.

"The fire completely illuminated the whole town, and it was a curious sight to see the emitted sparks intermingled with the flakes of snow floating in millions and millions over the snow covered house tops, and the heads of a curious, anxious and weather-beaten crowd of spectators.

At twenty four minutes to twelve o'clock the hands of the huge clock stopped. The tower contained a ring of eight bells, one of which fell with a heavy thud to the basement of the tower. The other seven are believed to be melted."

The early Fire Brigade

Volunteer firemen would exchange their tokens for moneyat the fire station the next day.

People who helped pump watergot paid more than other volunteersso that job was much more popularsometimes leaving no-one to look after the hoses.

The volunteers only got paid if there was a fire.They were accused of starting the 1867 Parish Church firejust so that they would be paid to put it out.

Find out more

To find out more about the Fire Brigade
visit the London Fire Brigade museum.

To find out more about the Fire Brigadein Croydon, you can visit the Research Room.

The Research Room is on the
lower ground floor of the Clocktower,
It is open Tuesday-Saturday
10:30am-5pm.